The woman describes the love they share. It is as strong as death
itself—the most powerful of enemies in the Bible and a force that cannot be overcome by mere mortals. Death comes to all. Yet love, we are told, is its equal, and the passion that the lovers share is as stubborn and unrelenting as the grave, which seeks to swallow all living things.1 Love is as strong as death in the sense that its power cannot be resisted. It never releases those whom it has once seized.2
6 Mets-moi comme un sceau sur ton cœur, Comme un sceau sur ton bras; Car l'amour est fort comme la mort, La jalousie est inflexible comme le séjour des morts; Ses ardeurs sont des ardeurs de feu, Une flamme de l'Eternel.